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The Daily OrangeMLAX | Evolution of a man: Brian Crockett's goals are down but his contributions are up
By Mark Medina
Posted: 5/10/06, 7:58 PM EST Section: Sports
But again, it's more important for SU not in the numbers Crockett is posting but in the way he's bringing up the young players. Hardy and Perritt laud the senior midfielder for their overall development this year. It couldn't have come a moment too soon considering the injury-depleted midfield Syracuse inherited.
Perritt has scored 14 goals, trailing the attack trio, including the game-winner against Cornell on April 11. Hardy, meanwhile, has been impressive with distributing the ball at midfield, not necessarily in assists but making timely passes to control the offensive tempo.
Crockett's presence indirectly makes the other midfielders more susceptible to scoring. Syracuse has seen opponents circle Crockett on their scouting reports, using their long-pole defenseman to cover him. Many times that leaves players such as Perritt and Hardy going up against short-stick defensemen, giving them an easier chance to score.
Perritt admits when the midfielders fell to injury, he had to make adjustments. But Crockett was there to assist him. In particular, Perritt has learned from Crockett how to dodge more effectively by attacking the cage harder. Before, Perritt hesitated because he feared turning the ball over.
"A lot of guys can get frustrated when their (teammates) are not understanding a couple things about the offense," Perritt said. "He never seems to get frustrated. He works through everything, and understands at first that we were a little confused."
Crockett notices the cycle in which players develop as he reflects on his four years with the Orange. In his freshman year, Crockett depended on former SU midfielders Sean Lindsay and Steve Vallone to help him improve.
Now Crockett is fulfilling that role with Hardy and Perritt. Whenever Crockett assists the young players, he often reminisces on how he was once in that position, a factor that Crockett points to as an explanation for his strong patience.
"I used to always ask them questions," Crockett said. "The way they were with me, I always thought if I could be like that with someone else, try to show anything and lead them the way. I like to do that just because how comfortable everyone made me feel then."
Perritt has scored 14 goals, trailing the attack trio, including the game-winner against Cornell on April 11. Hardy, meanwhile, has been impressive with distributing the ball at midfield, not necessarily in assists but making timely passes to control the offensive tempo.
Crockett's presence indirectly makes the other midfielders more susceptible to scoring. Syracuse has seen opponents circle Crockett on their scouting reports, using their long-pole defenseman to cover him. Many times that leaves players such as Perritt and Hardy going up against short-stick defensemen, giving them an easier chance to score.
Perritt admits when the midfielders fell to injury, he had to make adjustments. But Crockett was there to assist him. In particular, Perritt has learned from Crockett how to dodge more effectively by attacking the cage harder. Before, Perritt hesitated because he feared turning the ball over.
"A lot of guys can get frustrated when their (teammates) are not understanding a couple things about the offense," Perritt said. "He never seems to get frustrated. He works through everything, and understands at first that we were a little confused."
Crockett notices the cycle in which players develop as he reflects on his four years with the Orange. In his freshman year, Crockett depended on former SU midfielders Sean Lindsay and Steve Vallone to help him improve.
Now Crockett is fulfilling that role with Hardy and Perritt. Whenever Crockett assists the young players, he often reminisces on how he was once in that position, a factor that Crockett points to as an explanation for his strong patience.
"I used to always ask them questions," Crockett said. "The way they were with me, I always thought if I could be like that with someone else, try to show anything and lead them the way. I like to do that just because how comfortable everyone made me feel then."
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